Tracking Transfers 12/9 – AuburnSports: Auburn Tigers Football & Basketball Recruiting

AUBURN | The transfer portal for the 2024-25 season officially opened on Monday, with nine Auburn players already announcing their plans to leave.

The December transfer portal will close to players on December 28th, and there will be an additional spring portal from April 16th to 25th.

Below is a look at the transfers by position and each impact on AU’s depth chart.

QUARTERBACK

Departures (2): Holden Geriner, Hank Brown

Transfers in (0): None

Electricity (1): RFr. Walker White

Incoming (1): TFr. Deuce Knight

The Skinny: Auburn completely screwed up at this position last offseason and it should be a top priority this time around. AU needs two transfer quarterbacks, one who is ready to be a plug-and-play starter and another who has several years of eligibility remaining. Hugh Freeze plans to have four quarterbacks on the roster each year.

RUN BACK

Outbound transfers (0): None

Transfers in (0): None

Current (2): Sr. Damari Alston, Jr. Jeremiah Cobb

Incoming (1): TFr. Alvin Henderson

The Skinny: This is a position that AU needs to address in the portal, especially if there is additional churn. Jarquez Hunter leaves as Auburn’s fourth all-time rusher. Henderson could be special as the state’s all-time leading rusher, but AU definitely needs more depth.

WIDE RECEIVER

Departures (2): Camden Brown, Caleb Burton

Transfers in (0): None

Current (5): Sr. Sam Jackson V, So. Cam Coleman, So. Malcolm Simmons, So. Perry Thompson, RFr. Bryce Cain

Incoming (3): TFr. Sam Turner, TFr. Derick Smith, TFr. Eric Smith

The Skinny: KeAndre Lambert-Smith is leaving after a standout season and one of AU’s best transfers in the portal era. AU signed a great class last year and Coleman and Simmons certainly played well as freshmen. Thompson and Cain should be ready to step up in year two. AU will likely look to keep the position filled with a veteran after having nine scholarship players last year.

Tight end

Departures (1): Micah Riley

Transfers in (0): None

Current (2): Gr. Brandon Frazier, So. Rico Walker

Incoming (2): TFr. Hollis Davidson, TFr. Ryan Ghea

The Skinny: AU could reach out to the portal for help with the job, but getting Frazier back is important for leadership and experience. AU’s need likely depends on the willingness of its two freshmen to play right away.

Offensive line

Departures (1): EJ Harris

Transfers in (0): None

Current (12): Sr. Jeremiah Wright, Sr. Tate Johnson, Sr. Dillon Wade, Sr. Jaden Muskrat, Jr. Connor Lew, So. Tyler Johnson, So. Dylan Senda, So. Clay Wedin, So. Bradyn Joiner, Sun. Seth Wilfred, RFr. DeAndre Carter, RFr. Prefer Edwin

Incoming (4): TFr. Broderick Shull, TFr. Jacobe Ward, TFr. Tai Buster, TFr. Kail Ellis

The Skinny: This position has improved considering what Freeze and his team inherited, but it’s not nearly good enough to compete at the top of the SEC, particularly at tackle. Wright, Tate Johnson, Wade and Muskrat did not pass Senior Day, so there is an opportunity for them to return or perhaps transfer. Auburn wants to have 16 offensive linemen on the roster and currently plans to return 12 and re-sign four. That will have to change as AU needs to improve the offensive tackle position and possibly some other underperforming positions. Lew has been a standout player since becoming the starter as a freshman. When Wade returns, he needs to be back where he fits best. Carter is a talented young player who should push for a starting guard position even after both starters return.

DEFENSE LINE

Departures (2): Gage Keys, TJ Lindsey

Transfers in (0): None

Current (5): Sr. Quientrail Jamison-Travis, Jr. Keldric Faulk, So. Darron Reed, so. Malik Blocton, So. Amaris Williams

Incoming (4): TFr. Malik Autry, TFr. Antonio Coleman, TFr. Jourdin Crawford, TFr. Darrion Smith

The Skinny: Auburn has a number of veterans to replace, including five who made it past Senior Day but returns some very talented players. Faulk is probably Australia’s best player overall and an important leader. Blocton became a starter as a freshman and Jamison-Travis stepped up in his sophomore year. Williams could have a breakthrough season as a sophomore. Further fluctuations in this position are certainly possible. Even if everyone else returns, AU could certainly still use a nose tackle or two along with an experienced defensive tackle for depth. AU signed a talented group, but they will need time to develop.

BUCK LINEBACKER

Outbound transfers (0): None

Transfers in (0): None

Current (3): Sr. Keyron Crawford, RFr. Jamonta Waller, RFr. Joe Phillips

Incoming (1): TFr. Jared Smith

The Skinny One: Jalen McLeod will be difficult to replace on and off the field. Even if Crawford steps up and has a breakout senior season, AU could definitely use an experienced player at the position and should look for a difference-maker in the portal.

INNER LINEBACKER

Outbound transfers (0): None

Transfers in (0): None

Current (4): Jr. Robert Woodyard, Jr. Laquan Robinson, So. Demarcus Riddick, RFr. DJ Barber

Incoming (3): TFr. Jakaleb Faulk, TFr. Elijah Melendez, TFr. Blake Deas

The Skinny: Auburn has signed an outstanding linebacker class and at least two, perhaps all three, will likely earn playing time this fall. But AU could also use a veteran or two from the portal to bolster the position and give a talented, young group time to develop. Riddick could be one of the best backs in the SEC next fall and it will be interesting to see who else emerges from the returning group.

CORNERBACK AND NICKEL

Outbound transfers (0): None

Transfers in (0): None

Current (7): Jr. Champ Anthony, Jr. Kayin Lee, So. Sylvester Smith, So. JC Hart, So. Tyler Scott, So. Jay Crawford, So. Kensley Louidor-Faustin

Incoming (3): TFr. Blake Woodby, TFr. Donovan Starr, TFr. Devin Williams

The Skinny: Anthony’s return will certainly improve the position. Lee is an established starter and Crawford played at a high level when he got into the starting lineup. Scott should also be a reinforcement after an injury. Anthony, Smith and Louidor all have experience at nickel. AU signed a talent class and a couple was able to enter and compete immediately. This position appears to be quite deep, although there is some turnover.

SECURITY

Departures (1): Caleb Wooden

Transfers in (0): None

Current (5): Sr. Jahquez Robinson, Jr. Terrance Love, So. Kaleb Harris, So. CJ Johnson, RFr. A’Mon Lane Ganus

Incoming (2): TFr. Eric Winters, TFr. Anquon Fegans

The Skinny: Harris established himself as a future star. The starting position against him is wide open until spring. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a bigger downturn at safety at AU, especially with the addition of two talented signings who should compete for immediate playing time. Winters and Fegans have the potential to be special and could certainly win a starting spot.

TOTAL NUMBERS

Departures: 9

Transfers in: 0

Current: 48 (including two kickers)

Incoming: 25 (including punter)

Estimated total: 73